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Illinois RV Camping and Campgrounds

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Recreational Vehicle Camping and Campgrounds in Illinois

The "Land of Lincoln" offers great RV camping destinations throughout Illinois. Private RV parks and public campgrounds offer facilities from full service RV resorts to primitive campsites. Free dispersed camping (boondocking) is available on National Forest lands in Illinois.

Free RV camping, and public campground topographical location maps follow Illinois RV camping resources.

Illinois Resources for RV Camping Information

Private RV Parks - Research tools for finding private RV parks and campgrounds in Illinois.

US Forest Service - Information about USFS administered lands in Illinois. Campsites in developed campgrounds, and for adventure, try dispersed camping (boondocking) to find the best campsites.
US Army Corps of Engineers - USACE/COE information about COE lakes and camping opportunities in Illinois.
US Fish and Wildlife Service - FWS information about National Wildlife Refuges in Illinois. Not all Refuges permit overnight camping, so check regulations carefully.

Illinois State Tourism Website - Where to go, and what to do in Illinois.
State Parks - Information about RV camping in state parks in Illinois. Camping is also permitted at selected Illinois WMA's (Wildlife Management Area).

Camping Reservations - Illinois Federal Campground Reservations.

Current Weather - From the National Weather Service
Historical Weather - Know what to pack. Includes monthly average highs, lows, mean temperature,GPS location and elevation.

RV Dump Stations

RVDumps.com - Places to dump in Illinois.

Sanidumps.com - RV dump locations listed by town.

RV Camping pages with more information

USFS (US Forest Service) - Describes USFS policies and rules about RV camping. Information about dispersed camping, and tips on how to find great free RV camping sites.
USACE/COE (Army Corp of Engineers) - USACE (perhaps better know as COE) manages water recreation areas throughout the USA. Information about finding USACE lakes, their RV camping possibilities, and rules and policies for use of these water based recreation areas is included.
Boondocking - Learn the rules about free dispersed camping, and how to find great boondocking locations.

Illinois Free Camping

Limited free camping (boondocking) is available in Illinois on USDA National Forest lands, and state, county, and city properties offer overnight RV parking opportunities as well.

Click BLUE for detailed location maps and more information

CHILLICOTH

HWY-29 1 mile north of town east side of highway. Unused rest area. No facilities. HWY-29 1/4 mile south of town on west side of highway. Large gravel pull-off. Any size RV.

GALESBURG

Eagles Market off HWY-79, exit 48B, going West. RVs & truckers welcome to spend the night in a back corner of their parking area.

GILMAN

City park on east side of town on US-24.

MARION

Free dispersed camping (boondocking) is available in the Shawnee National Forest. Contact local forest ranger districts for recommended locations.

MURPHYSBORO

Designated free dispersed camping (boondocking) is permitted at the USDA Turkey Bayou Campground. Used as a hunting camp in the fall, this area is open year around for camping.

We recommend the Illinois Atlas & Gazetteer to find RV camping locations. This Illinois topographic atlas offers comprehensive detail including trails, back country roads, lakes and streams, boat ramps, forests, wetlands, campgrounds, public lands, and hunting and fishing locations. Information about family trips, wilderness outing possibilities, and more are included. Put that together with DeLorme Topo 6.0 Software and you have a versatile set of research tools to find the best campsites.

More Free RV Parking Ideas

Here's a list of places to consider when looking for a free overnight RV camping or parking location in Illinois. We always recommend asking for overnight RV parking permission when looking for a free spot to spend the night on private property. The smaller your RV, the better chances you will have finding places to stay if you choose not to ask permission. If you don't ask permission, you end up "sneaking" into places and hoping nobody bothers you or issues you a trespassing ticket before you move on. Be smart and Be Safe...Ask Permission.

Truck Stops - Asking permission is usually not a requirement Be considerate of the big rigs!
Walmart - Not all stores allow overnight RV parking in Illinois due to city ordinances. Check store for policy. Nightclubs - Had one too many or just pretending?
Grain Elevators - Ask where you can park your RV out of the way for the night.
Fraternal Organizations - VFW, Elks etc. may allow members free overnight RV camping.
Cemetery - Sounds creepy to us, but we've also heard they may have water available.
Fairgrounds - State and County facilities may allow RV camping when not otherwise in use.
Parks - City, County, State, and Community parks often have free RV camping.
Churches - You can almost make "reservations" by calling ahead for permission.
Hotel Parking Lots - Assuming a nightclub/bar is inside, had one too many or just pretending?
Truck Terminals - Parking areas for large trucks might allow you free RV camping permission
RV Dealers - Pretty brave to us, but you could fit right in.
Cracker Barrel - These nationwide restaurants usually allow free overnight RV parking.
Movie Theaters - Too tired to drive home after the late show?
Highway Rest Areas - All rest areas allow a few hours of free RV parking, but noisy.
Drive In Movies - Got a small RV, park in the back row and enjoy the show. Fell asleep by accident right?
Vehicle Repair Shops - Need to see the repairman first thing in the morning?
Big Box Retailers - Kmart, Best Buy, Sams Club often allow free RV camping.
Roadside Parks & Picnic Areas - The early day version of the rest area.

As you can see, there are a lot of free RV camping and parking possibilities in Illinois. If you are not asking permission, it's best to keep a very low profile. If your RV has slide outs, jacks and TV antennas, don't use them so as not to draw attention to yourself. Consider your surroundings carefully and if you feel uncomfortable with the area, move somewhere else.

Illinois Public Campgrounds

Public campgrounds offer full RV hookups to primitive campsites. The following list shows a few examples of the many public campgrounds available in Illinois.

Click on BLUE for topographical location maps and more information

APPLE RIVER

47 first come first serve campsites are available at the Apple River Canyon State Park. Hiking, biking, fishing are only a few of the outdoor recreation activities available.

CARLYLE

RV camping is available at several developed campgrounds at Carlyle Lake. This USACE (US Army Corps of Engineers) managed lake has fishing, hunting, boating, and is especially attractive to sailboaters.

DIXON SPRINGS

57 campsites, 31 with electricity are available the at Oak Point Campground. Boating, fishing, and hiking activities.

FOREST CITY

A more rustic camping experience can be found in the Sand Ridge State Forest. Outdoor activities include hiking, biking, sport shooting, and more.

McCORMICK

Year around RV camping is available at the USDA Redbud Campground. 21 campsites with seasonal water and vault toilets.

OAKWOOD

184 reservable campsites are available at the Kickapoo State Recreation Area. This former strip mine is now the home of unlimited outdoor recreation activities.

SHELBYVILLE

8 public campgrounds are available at Lake Shelbyville. This USACE (US Army Corps of Engineers) managed lake has over 11,000 acres of water, and 23,000 acres of land for recreational use.

SPRING GROVE

Hundreds of reservable campsites are available at the popular Chain O' Lakes State Park. Boating, fishing, hiking and many other outdoor activities are available.

WILMINGTON

Basic campsites are available at the Des Plaines Fish & Wildlife Area. Great outdoor activities such as boating, fishing hiking, and picnic areas.

WOLF LAKE

13 campsites with vault toilet and 14 day limit are available at the USDA Pine Hills Campground. Fishing, hiking, hunting, wildlife viewing are just some of the activities available.

The location map images for finding RV camping locations in Illinois are derived from DeLorme Topo 6.0 Software and used with their exclusive permission. These map images only display a very limited area. DeLorme's Topo 6.0 covers the entire USA with highly detailed maps that can be zoomed in or out, moved, printed, and interfaced with GPS units. 3-D views, tracking and route planning, as well as map annotation ability are included. BLM administered lands are available free with registration of the program.

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